We are persuaded of the coming of this day. But any association or combination to promote this union, would only create another sect, and prolong the war by making men fight for peace. That feverish restlessness for a visible union of Christian sects, which some now manifest, is, we fear, only a new form of fanaticism. This union must begin in the soul of every follower of Christ, in the private cultivation of the Christian spirit, and in a growing knowledge of Christ's religion. It cometh not with observation. The work

of preparation for it must be done in secret, when suddenly a glori-、 ous temple will arise, and God will enter it, with the ark of his strength.

Will it assist this consummation, the reader says, to publish a book on Infant Baptism? Ought you not to sacrifice your attachment to this ordinance, to the cause of Christian union? — The answer is, It would be bigotry in us to say to Baptists, or Episcopalians, or Methodists, we will love you and join in your plans if you will accord with us in rites and forms. No. We expect to love and honour them while they retain every peculiarity which is no bar to Christian communion. Let them make no sacrifice of attachment to forms or tenets, but, even with a Christian spirit, try to convince others of their scriptural origin and superiour practical influence; at the same time holding this doctrine in common with us, That he who has the spirit of Christ, let his costume be what it may, is a friend and brother. Then, if their peculiar modes and forms assist their piety and devotion, it will be little else than barbarism in us to mock at them or seek to draw them away from their attachments.

It is dishonorable to the religion of Christ to suppose that there can be no union amongst Christians but by truces, and compromises, and the diplomatic arrangements of quarrelling nations or men. It is inconsistent with Christian liberty to demand numerical unity in

if we

Christian sects; and we probably mistake the nature of man, think that one order or form of worship can suit all men. We rejoice in this diversity in unessential things, so far as it meets the various dispositions and tastes of the human mind; it is only in spirit that we should be anxious for others to be one with us. An attempt at any other union would be unnatural and forced.

In the exercise of the same spirit which we would desire that others should exercise towards us, I have written this book concerning a practice which is most precious to thousands of the followers of Christ, for its influence on them and their children. But as this practice and the mode of Baptism have made great dissension and strife among Christians, it seemed proper to speak of the nature and duty of Christian union in connection with a new publication on this subject; so that all might understand two things:

1. That we do not intend to abandon Infant Baptism in order to a union of Christian sects.

2. That, at the same time, we regard this practice as no bar to fellowship with those who reject it, and consider it only as a means of spiritual good and not a condition of salvation, nor a test of Christian character.

If all denominations of true Christians will say these two things of each of their rites and forms, give and receive full liberty of conscience in interpreting the Bible, make nothing essential to Christian communion on earth which will not be recognized in Heaven, and triumph over names, and ceremonies, and the letter of the word, in their zeal to maintain and spread abroad the essential truth, then we shall ALL BE ONE AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN CHRIST, AND CHRIST IN THEE!

But the spirit of Christianity is yet like a beautiful captive in bonds. Many sects in Christendom have laid their chain upon her. But her day of liberty is near. Rising in the view of men, and

holding forth her fallen chains, she will appear invested with spiritual and celestial beauty, and as each invokes and claims her as his own, she will spread herself abroad in heavenly light, and surveying the people of the Lord under their various names and forms, will bless them and cry, Above all, and through all, and in you all. The Lord hasten this in His time. Spirit of Christ! escape from our chains. We hereby take from off thy heavenly nature the bond of a sectarian Baptism, and bid Thee hold communion with all of every name who differ in rites and forms from us, but with us hold the essential grounds of a sinner's Hope!

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Greatness of the event. Feelings and conduct
The parents and child in eternity.
Future joy of a pious mother.

Birth of a child.

of a pious parent.

of being a parent.

CHAPTER II.

Honour

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Proportion of deaths in infancy. Salvation of infants. Multitudes in Heaven who died in infancy. Human infancy interesting to superiour beings. Of such is the kingdom of God.' Destruction of heathen Infants, an illustration of good brought out of evil. Destruction of infants with wicked parents not inconsistent with divine goodness. Infants slain by Herod. Their honour and happiness in being identified with the Saviour's incarnation. Future joy of pious parents who lost a young child. Meeting in Heaven. Appeal to those not pious, who have lost children. Present feelings of the departed children towards surviving parents. Future meeting or separation.

CHAPTER III.

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Presentation of an infant for Baptism. Thoughts at the sight. Feelings at an infant's cry in the House of God. Benevolent nature of Christianity illustrated in an infant's baptism. Contrast in this respect of Christianity and heathenism. A child baptized at a heathen river. Interest of the scene to the souls of those who perished there by violence. Beauty and power of Infant Baptism

in heathen lands. Baptism of infants in a Christian temple. A congregation praying for a child.

The rite performed.

Effect on the parents.

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CHAPTER IV.

The two Christian

Meaning of the Ordinance. Object of rites.

rites. Use of water in Baptism. Meaning of the form of Baptism. Taking possession of a new land in the name of a king. What is implied on the part of the parents? What is implied on the part of God? Abrahamic covenant only one form of a great and general principle. Encouragement from this in dedicating children. Feelings of parents in retiring from Baptism. Baptism of a household. Limit of age in baptizing children. The refractory child. The widow's household, or infant. Infant of a departed pious mother. Inconsistency of romantic names. 32

CHAPTER V.

Principles in the treatment and education of a Baptized child. 1. Frequent renewal of the consecration. 2. Praying with a child. Influence of it on a child. Mode of proceeding. The child's appearance at prayer. Its impressions of the nature of the act. Influence of prayer before a child in correction and encouragement. John Newton's testimony respecting his mother's prayers. Duty of a father to pray with his child. Interesting sight. Effect on the parent's mind and feelings. Influence of it on the child's feelings towards its father. 3. The child taught the meaning of its Baptism. Good opportunity when the child has witnessed a Baptism. God's attention to the young. Moses, in the ark by the Nile, preserved and restored to his mother. Moses on Sinai. Connection of his goodness and greatness, with God's notice of him when a child. Call of Samuel in the Temple. God's notice of children at their Baptism. Influence of these thoughts upon a Baptized child. 4. Influence of Baptism on the parents in directing the child. Maternal associations. General influence of a sincere consecration of children upon parental conduct. Inconsistent conduct of many parents. Wrong mo